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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "lucy Eguerra" (may be fake)
Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 13:38:44 -0500
Subject: I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE

My dearly beloved ,
I know my message will come as a suprise to you, but relax and read very well.I Am sending you this message, because your name on your email address sounds like you are from the philipines too. My name is Lucy Esgeurra, am a filipina by birth. I got married to a British businessman, who died 11 years ago. Before his death, he was a successful business tycoon. We had no children together before he died. I am 57 years old now, battling with cancer for the past two years. Right now as i write you this message, am critically ill and lying helplessly on a bed in the hospital.The doctor said i might not make it this time, but i want you to also remember me in your daily prayers. I live in London.
Before my husbands death, he will the sum of 4.2million pounds to me and a house here in london. I am a born again christian, and am led by the God to donate this funds to the less priviledged kids in the world, most especially in our country the philipines. I need a trustworthy person who will carry out this great task for me and i decided to approach you. If you are interested in carrying out this mission for me according to my will, 15% percent of this money, will be your compensation for the great work Ahead. Please if you can help me in carrying this out, reply immediately with your
1. FULL NAME 2. TELEPHONE NUMBER. OCCUPATION 3. COUNTRY 4.AGE. Once i receive this from you, i will forward it to my lawyer and i will advice him on what to do. I cant talk clearly now, but can hear when somebody talks to me. I want you to disburse this funds judiciously amongst our people in the motherless home and poor people and churches. God bless you as you cooperate with me in this matter. Waiting for your response
Lucy Esguerra

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